A reminder that bumping, commenting & discussions in the Classifieds should be avoided where possible.

Bumping - As a general rule threads should not be "bumped" to the top of the queue within 4 days. Bumping includes daily update replies e.g. XXXX fish sold YYYY fish still available, regular price drops etc. In this instance edit your original post. Once the item has been SOLD or FOUND update the thread title to reflect this instead of replying. Creating identical threads within the 4 days is also considered bumping.

"PM Sent" replies are likely to get removed / merged. If you are having problems contacting the person please make this clear in your reply.

Multiple threads - Where possible please try to combine all your threads into one rather than having multiple. E.g. all live fish should be combined, hardware/dry goods could go in another. Having excessive recent threads is seen as "hogging".

Commenting - Avoid commenting in other member's threads e.g. "I can get this cheaper here" or "if only I could afford it". Off-topic or general comment posts may be deleted / merged.

Discussions - These can be avoided in most cases by using the PM system (Private Message). To access the PM system click the drop-down arrow after resting your mouse cursor on the member's name then choose Send Message.

Date - How old is the thread? If it's over a month chances are the item is no longer available. Best off sending a PM rather than replying causing it to be "bumped". -- Update -- threads older than 60 days are now auto-locked. If you have still not sold the item and wish to keep the thread active PM a committee member, site admin or moderator asking them to unlock it.

PCS Club Members (financial) are able to lock/close and re-open their own threads which will help prevent the issues outlined above.

The following information should be included when posting in the classifieds:

Any ads that do not have this basic information may be deleted without warning.

Keeping in mind that the Classifieds are a "high traffic" area also means that they are heavily moderated. As a result posts that do not comply with the Terms & Conditions may be deleted / merged without notification. Please do not take this personally, it is done purely to keep this section streamlined.

** Sponsor sub-forum classifieds are maintained by each sponsor and are therefore excluded from the guidelines above.

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Unauthorised commercial trading (not permitted)

A minority of people are disappointed to find out that practises such as regular on-selling/reselling of new dry goods and the regular sale of imported livestock is not allowed and is considered commercial. The PCS forums (in particular the classifieds) were never intended to be used as a portal for profiteers concerned primarily with their own wallet. It is a forum for hobbyists to trade information and goods. We understand that there are plenty of ways to get things cheaper and in many cases people think they're doing others a favour by bringing in these goods. Instead we encourage that you support your local stores and/or arrange co-ordinated "group buys" where possible.

Unauthorised commercial dealings are not permitted in an attempt to prevent a conflict of interest between the PCS and its sponsors and is done purely to protect the society. Without the combination of our sponsors and PCS Club Members it's very likely the club would cease to function.

Please take note that the PCS is not run or governed by the sponsors. Instead the committee will draw guidance from the sponsors and PCS Club Members when necessary.

The forums are an extension of the club and the majority of running costs are not related to the internet / website.

Bumping this up again. These guidelines, especially the ones covering ad content, are here for your own benefit. The more information you give potential buyers, the quicker your stuff sells. It is also unfair to others who put effort into their ads, but their ads are bumped off by threads where people have to ask for every single detail.

Lately we have been receiving a number of complaints about classified posts that do not contain enough detail.

If you have photos, please include them in your ad when you first write it. Otherwise say you don't have photos, or say you can email/txt pics. Don't put up a post and then say "photos later". If you don't have any, wait until you do and then post the ad. Again, it results in an unfair bump otherwise.

The amounts of edits, deletions, cleanups and PM the moderators have to do lately is getting way too much. So far we haven't enforced the guidelines, we have just asked people to put more info in. Judging by the amounts of moderation we have to do and the number of complaints we are getting, this is apparently being ignored. Some people say we are too strict - well, show us we don't have to be! Show us that asking you nicely to do something basic is enough.

Please put a little effort into your ads, it goes a long way to make the classifieds a clean and efficient way to buy and sell for everyone.

urgh... can we please point out to people to DELETE any un needed prompts, it makes it so hard to read when they do something like this

You can copy/paste/delete as necessary.

LivestockName:Julidochromis regani

Size:anyNumber (if more than one):2Sex (if known, otherwise state "sex unknown"):breeding pairPrice or a ballpark figure:Photos below (if you don't have photos, this must be stated)

Equipment etcBrand (if applicable):Age:Price or ballpark figure:Description, incl condition of the item:Photos below (if you don't have photos, this must be stated)

TanksDimensions (width/depth/height):Glass Thickness:Condition (poor = not holding water, fair = old, scratches and marks, good = some minor blemishes, excellent = as new, some marks that can be removed):Age:Stand (wood or metal, bare stand or cabinet):Lids:Price or ballpark figure:Photos below (if you don't have photos, this must be stated)